For obvious reasons, the majority of Manchester United supporters are not overly fond of Carlos Tevez.

After all, having failed to agree a permanent contract at Old Trafford following a two-year loan stint with the club, the Argentine opted to sign for rivals Manchester City.

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Yet, even the most ardent of United fans could not deny that during his time with the red half of the city, Tevez contributed some important goals.

He scored the winner at Anfield and against Roma in the Champions League, as well as late equalisers to thwart Tottenham Hotspur and Lyon.

Another of those goals arrived seven years ago today as table-topping United, who held a two-point lead over Chelsea, made the trip to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers.

With a Champions League semi-final encounter against Barcelona on the horizon, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made four alterations to his starting lineup and one of those - goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak - was beaten in the 21st minute.

Usually such a solid defensive partnership, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were both attracted to Morten Gamst Pedersen's long throw. Neither dealt with the danger and, when the ball broke kindly for Roque Santa Cruz, the Paraguayan beat United's deputy keeper with a composed finish.

After that, it was backs to the wall stuff as far as the hosts were concerned, with their keeper Brad Friedel taking centre stage.

On three occasions he denied Cristiano Ronaldo, who also saw a powerful shot cannon against the woodwork. Friedel was also on hand to prevent Tevez, Wayne Rooney and John O'Shea from scoring equalising goals.

However, as the match entered the 88th minute and with a shock Blackburn win looking increasingly likely, Tevez stepped in.

Nani's corner was flicked on at the near post by Paul Scholes for Tevez, who was able to leap high enough to power a header beyond Friedel's reach, which sparked scenes of wild celebration among the travelling faithful.

Speaking after the final whistle, Blackburn boss Mark Hughes, who had a great insight into how United worked from his time playing for the club, said: "One of the big things was the fear of failure. That is what drives these top players on. They don't accept they are ever beaten - and when they are, they don't say they have lost, they say they have run out of time. There is always the fear of the manager, too.

"You always have to go back into the dressing room and that certainly keeps them on their toes. When you get to this stage of the season, you can focus your mind quite clearly. You expect to win. You don't hope to win.

"Once United got back on level terms, they fancied their chances. That's what they work in, they work in dreams and miracles and on occasions they are able to produce them."

Blackburn: Friedel; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock; Bentley, Reid, Vogel (Mokoena), Pedersen; Santa Cruz, Roberts

Man United: Kuszczak; Brown (O'Shea), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (Nani); Tevez, Rooney (Park)